The Ballad of the Bastard Crown

Oh gather round ye pisspots and drunks,
Let me tell ye of kings and their bastardly funks,
Of silver-tongued laddies who climbed from the dirt,
With steel in their smiles and poison in their shirt.

So waggle your cups, don’t mention no names,
The throne’s full o’ cheats and the court’s full o’ games,
A wink and a knife makes a monarch renowned,
And a bastard’s the one who now wears the crown!

There once was a lad with a face sweet as pie,
But behind Daddy’s back he let poison fly,
His old man went stiff ere the fortnight was done,
And the boy kissed the crown like a good mother’s son.

So waggle your cups, don’t mention no names,
The throne’s full o’ cheats and the court’s full o’ games,
A goblet of venom, a sly little frown,
And a bastard’s the one who now wears the crown!

Then came a wise man with books in his bed,
But a supper too hearty left him stiff cold and dead,
And who do we find with a goblet in hand?
Why a bastard too clever by half for the land!

So waggle your cups, don’t mention no names,
The throne’s full o’ cheats and the court’s full o’ games,
A goblet of venom, a sly little frown,
And a bastard’s the one who now wears the crown!

The kings all did gather with ale in their hands,
But the son bore the guilt of his treacherous plans,
A knight took his due and laid royalty low,
While the bastard looked on with a satisfied glow.

So waggle your cups, don’t mention no names,
The throne’s full o’ cheats and the court’s full o’ games,
When bastards play noble, the high crowns all drown,
And the fattest of frauds now straddles the crown!

So here's to the bastards, the poisons, the lies,
To the crown that was stolen by murder and pies,
Drink deep, my good fellows, but don’t talk too loud—
Lest iron-clad fingers come quiet the crowd!

The Days of Halinard

On the occasion of his royal wedding 5280ey

These are the days of Halinard, the High King of all Westrun and the Free Provinces.

Halinard was born in 5212 the least-favored son of his father, Aleranus II of Bolden. Though he was born into humble circumstances, and not the heir of his house, he quickly made a name for himself as an able administrator and a cunning warrior. When his half-brother was made the King-steward of Bolden Halinard distinguished himself as a soldier and rose quickly from Baron to Count to Duke.

After winning any engagements with the Northruners, "Iron Duke" Halinard caught the eye of Dane II the Learned who had succeeded Aleranus II on the Platinum Throne. When Dane prosecuted a war against the Berserkers of Northrun, he took Halinard as his military advisor, eventually promoting him to Chancellor General.

Dane served his sentence as High King of Westrun for 11 years before he came to an untimely end. In 5261 he choked on his supper after a hunt and he died in the sight of many witnesses.

Then "Iron Duke" Halinard was entrusted with the Stewardship of the High Throne for the Winter of 5261 was particularly harsh and precluded travel from the far corners of the Eight Kingdoms. When the Summer came, the conflict between Saklan and Rath prevented many from travel. These delays continued until early Winter of 5263. During which time it was revealed that Halinard was the rightful monarch of Bolden, though he grasped not at the seat of power.

When justice was served, Halinard was elected unanimously to the High Throne in 5264. 

He was married in 5265 to Brianna of House Fieldstone and produced five daughters. His wife perished in 5273 while giving birth. In 5274 he was married again, this time to Tirese of House Waldron who produced three daughters -- the last one being a simpleton. Her physicians say that Tirese despaired of the love that Halinard still kept for her deceased cousin Brianna, and in a fit of jealous melancholy threw herself from the balcony of her drawing room. Halinard was thus able to be married a third time and did so in 5280. This time to Joana Tarnblen, a lass whose youth was hoped would produce an heir.  He produced both a daughter and a son.  

Halinard came to a mysterious and untimely end in 5289.

The True Days of Halinard

In 5230 Aleranus II the Less of Bolden was sentenced to the High Throne. He served at the same time as his brother Anastorin who was elected Patriarch of the Church of Westrun.

The High King's son, Aleranus III, was appointed King-steward of Bolden. Now Aleranus the son was very young, being a man of only 16 years. So it was that he took his father's half-brother (and bastard of his grandfather) as an advisor. Halinard was older by only two years, but had shrewdness that not even Aleranus the father could deny.

Baronet Halinard (his bastardy kept him from higher station) was rewarded with lands near the Mountains of Bolden for his service to the King-steward, and after a time was able to assume temporary control of a second province -- this one on the border of Northrun. Thereafter he began to style himself a Count which caused no little mirth at court.

But from his lands he was able to repel many attacks from Northruners and was eventually given the title of Mark -- an honorarium of precedence which made him equal to a Duke. For his inflexible manner and hard edge he was often called "Iron."

The "Iron Duke" was feared by many in Bolden, even his nephew, the King-steward. As Aleranus the son aged, he found reason to keep his uncle from court. Though Aleranus was a man in body, many said that he never shed the temperament of his boyhood and that it improved little for the twenty years that his father sat the Platinum Throne.

After twenty years, in 5250 Aleranus II abdicated his sentence as High King, and returned to Bolden as its monarch. Dane the Learned of Saklan was sentenced to the High Throne in his place.

Once his father returned to Bolden, Aleranus the son was said to be inconsolable at being relegated. After serving as King-steward for two decades, he could find no comfort in turning to lesser affairs. Then, a fortnight after his return to Bolden, the elder Aleranus suffered a stroke. It left him mute, blind in one eye, and unable to move unassisted. Whereupon, his son, Aleranus III, resumed the role of King-steward. Thus he served until his father's death a few years later. At the age of 40 he was crowned true King of Bolden. Though Aleranus married and produced three sons, it was counted a tragedy that none lived to adulthood.

Meanwhile Dane the Learned prosecuted a war against the Berserkers of Northrun and he took as his military advisor, Halinard, the so-called Iron Duke of Bolden. For there could not be found any who had more experience fighting the barbarians. Halinard rose in estimation and eventually became the High King's Chancellor General.

Dane served his sentence as High King of Westrun for 11 years before he came to an untimely end. In 5261 he choked on his supper after a hunt and he died in the sight of many witnesses.

Then "Iron Duke" Halinard took for himself the title of Steward of the High Throne. This was an unprecedented act, but he had the support of his nephew, the King of Bolden; and support also from Waldron the Steward-king of Collonia (whose royal line was thought extinguished). The King of Menea was a longtime supporter of law and tradition, but was also deeply indebted to the Platinum Throne. He also supported Halinard.

The remaining kings in the North, those of Rath and Saklan, were too preoccupied with their own border conflict to object to Halinard's ambition. The Kingdoms of Treft and Talir were opposed to the presumption of this jumped up baronet, but felt it would be imprudent to act alone. As for the last of the Eight Kingdoms, that of Balduren, it could not be bothered by the politics of Peakshadow. The horse lords care little for titles and think nothing of offices that are held far from their plains -- not even the High Throne.

Year over year the Iron Duke found one reason after another to avoid a Council of Monarch's. He did not convene one until early Winter of 5263 and it was mired in controversy. At the council Halinard was excluded, for only the monarchs of the Eight Kingdoms and their knights may attend the council which elects the High King.

Sources reveal that for eleven days, the King of Treft had objected to those who moved that Halinard be made High King. He insisted that only a reigning monarch could be elected to the High Throne. Debate waged and sages were consulted, for some held that Fergus the First was not a king, but only a scion of his house when first elevated. Others rejoined that Fergus had been made High King by right of conquest, whereas Halinard had only ever engaged the enemies of Westrun.

Treft had Talir and Balduren (who reportedly would have elected his roast mutton if it meant he could return to his own keep) on his side, and over the course of many arguments had swayed Saklan and Rath to his cause.

But then the Council of Monarchs was interrupted. For it came to light, with irrefutable proofs, that Aleranus III, monarch of Bolden had poisoned his own father many years before. He had done so to become the King and for the crime of fratricide, a loyal knight of his own House (and one-time squire to Aleranus the father) rose up and slew him in the sight of all gathered. In turn, the king-slaying knight himself was cut down by the blades of many others.

But, as Aleranus had perished with no heir; and as Halinard, with no taint of bastardy upon him, was now the sole heir of his brothers House, he became the King of Bolden. As the King of Bolden he insisted upon his right to attend the Council of Monarchs and had the door removed to permit his entry. Once inside the chamber he ably defended his eligibility to sit upon the Platinum Throne. Therefore, Treft withdrew his objection and Halinard was ratified by unanimous vote of the Eight Kings.

Halinard was therefore sentenced to the High Throne in 5264. 

He was married in 5265 to Brianna of House Fieldstone and produced five daughters. She was a frail woman and one who could not withstand the cruelties sometimes visited by severe men. She perished in 5273 while giving birth. 

In 5274 he was married again, this time to Tirese of House Waldron who produced for him three daughters -- the last one being a simpleton. She was keenly aware of her inability to provide Halinard an heir and by most accounts suffered from melancholy. It is believed that she threw herself from the balcony of her drawing room. 

Halinard was thus able to be married a third time and did so in 5280. This time to Joana Tarnblen, a lass whose youth was hoped would produce an heir. By Joana, he produced both a daughter and a son and reigned for nine more years before succumbing to his strange fate.

History of Man -- Book 1: Westrun Part 16

In 5207 Galron of Menea took the High Throne. His sentence was unremarkable save that he was lost at sea in 5229. Neither he nor his ships were seen again.

5230 Aleranus II the Less of Bolden was sentenced to the High Throne. He served at the same time as his brother Anastorin who was elected Patriarch of the Church of Westrun. 

Aleranus II the Less was succeeded in 5250 by Dane III the Learned. 

Dane was from a long-lived people and was a lover of knowledge. He wrote massive endowments to the Bard's College at Ald Ciula where he had once lived as a student. He renovated the High King's Library in Peakshadow and invited the Archmage of the Dweomersecte to place a Chancellor Mage in his court. Dane was expected to serve for many years and his untimely death was a blow to many. During his short reign, he prosecuted the War of the Barbarian Kings through his military advisor -- the so-called Iron Duke of Bolden.

Despite his success, Dane often appeared pale and boyish to those in his court. His physicians prescribed outdoor activities and sports, which proved to be his undoing. He came to an untimely end, choking on his supper at the end of his first organized hunt. 

Dane was succeeded by his appointed Chancellor General Halinard, the so-called Iron Duke, who declared himself Steward of the High Throne. For two years the Council of Monarchs did not meet. Then in 5263 Halinard became High King of all Westrun by the unanimous vote of that august council. His first official act was to appoint his brother as the Steward of Bolden. 

5271 was the year of the Restless Dead in Menea, which was averted by the efforts of the Dweomersecte.

In 5284 the long War of the Northern Marches had been brought to the very Gates of Wanderhalt. A three day seige of that city was broken by Aleyn, the rightful king of Collonia, and his companions. The kingdom was restored, the goblins defeated and Halinard Geldorf recognized Aleyn Rigel and his line as the lawful crown of Collonia.

In 5289, Halinard Geldorf came to an untimely end. Agon Damaskos of Treft was sentenced to the High Throne in his place. He reigns to this day as High King of all Westrun and the Free Provinces.

Histories of the High Kings of All Westrun: VII - The Modern Era

The Modern Era

5211 Aleranus II of Bolden

5231 Dane III of Saklan

5263 Halinard of Bolden

House of Geldorf

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The Domain Seat of this House is located in the Province of Graleria in the Kingdom of Bolden in the Land of Westrun.

Its Primogenitor was Gendry Geldorf, Protector of the Northern Marches.

Its motto is, "Conquest and Glory."

It's coat-of-arms is a blue and white field superimposed by a crown.

The House Patriarch is Harold Geldorf, Steward-king of Bolden and of the Free Provinces of Frosinia and Lazia, Guardian of the Wall and Protector of the Eastern Marches.

The Heir Presumptive to the House is Halward, Son of Halinard.

It has no liege lords.

Its vassals are

The Oxmen have rated this House at 55 gold bars.

High King Halinard Geldorf

Violent : Cruel. Has own rules of logic which don't match most peoples.
motto : Never overlook the small joys while looking for the big ones.